It’s a simple truth: Bad things happen in life. Sometimes it’s through no fault of your own, and sometimes it’s the result of one bad judgment call. From personal injuries to criminal charges, any number of legal difficulties can arise from these situations.

Maybe you suffered a brain or spine injury in a car accident because another driver was too busy looking at his or her cell phone to focus on the road. Now you’re facing a mountain of medical bills and the other driver’s insurance is trying to pin the blame on you so that they don’t have to cover your expenses.

Or maybe you were pulled over after a few drinks with your friends and the officer decided to administer a sobriety test. You passed the breathalyzer but the rocky terrain made you stumble during a balance test. As a result, the officer decided to arrest you and you were charged with driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol.

Whether you need a Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer to win a financial settlement to cover an injury that wasn’t your fault or you need a Northern Virginia criminal defense lawyer to get a criminal charge dismissed or reduced, Priale & Racine is here to help.

We can also help you with immigration issues. The laws involving visas, deportation, and gaining citizenship aren’t always clear, but a Northern Virginia immigration lawyer can help you cut through the legal minutia and find a solution. You and your family deserve a better life, and we want to see that happen.

At no point have our attorneys ever worked as prosecutors—our entire practice has been built on a foundation of helping people successfully resolve their legal problems. We invest in our clients’ well-being. We treat your case as if it’s our own and will do everything we can to get you the outcome you need and deserve.

Practice Areas

When You’ve Been Injured

An injury caused by someone else’s negligence deserves to be fully compensated. That seems obvious enough, but unfortunately, insurance companies just don’t see it that way. Whatever type of accident you were hurt in, your final settlement amount will most likely come from one of these corporations. And you can bet that the insurer will do everything they can to settle your claim for the least amount possible.

Many injury victims make the mistake of assuming that the insurer in on their side and accept the settlement that is offered, thinking that it will be enough to cover their needs. It doesn’t usually take long for them to discover that the payout was inadequate and that they’ll need to pay out of pocket in order to get the medical care they still need.

In short, the insurance company is going to try to resolve your claim before you can get an attorney on board and find out just how much you’re really owed.

Dealing with Insurance

A Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer from Priale & Racine won’t let this happen to you. We’ll help you perform a full assessment of your claim’s true value. From medical care to lost wages to pain and suffering, all of your financial expenses and non-economic damages will be accounted for—including your future accident-related needs.

What’s more, we’ll also take your demand for compensation directly to the insurance or the at-fault party’s attorney. We know how to build the strongest, most compelling case possible, and this gives us a clear advantage at the negotiating table. In fact, the majority of our personal injury cases settle out of court without trial ever being necessary.

You only have one case. We want to make certain that it goes as smoothly as possible and that you come out with the funds you need to pay for your recovery.

What’s on the Line

Being charged with a crime can be a frightening experience for anyone. Misdemeanor or felony, your freedom, finances, and future are all at stake. A conviction can easily mean a hefty fine and a jail or prison sentence. The most serious cost is the impact on your future opportunities, however. A criminal record can shut the door on many opportunities for employment, loans, and housing.

The criminal justice system isn’t exactly easy to navigate, either. Even if this is your first offense or your charge is minor, you can’t expect the prosecution to go easy on you. In the end, getting your charges dismissed or reduced requires a convincing argument delivered with a strong presentation and backed with solid evidence.

Fight Your Charges

A Northern Virginia criminal defense lawyer from Priale & Racine can provide you with the defense your case needs. We’ve defended people just like you in thousands of different cases. Whether you were charged with a DUI, a violent crime, or something else, we can collect all of the available evidence and develop it into a powerful defense.

We aren’t afraid to go to trial and fight on your behalf. We have an excellent reputation among judges and prosecutors, so when they see us on your case, they’ll know that the defense presented has integrity and take it seriously. Your best interests are our primary concern, and we’ll make certain that your criminal case resolves in the best way possible.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

Moving to a new country can be stressful enough, but US immigration laws don’t make the process any easier. There can be any number of hurdles and challenges along the way—all of which can be smoothed out by working with a Northern Virginia immigration lawyer from Priale & Racine.

We can help you with immigration issues that involve visas, naturalization, employment, defense against deportation, waivers of inadmissibility, and more. It will be our priority to make sure you not only understand what’s ahead, but also that you have all of the information you need to move forward.

Protect Your Future with a Strong Defense

What’s on the Line

Being charged with a crime can be a frightening experience for anyone. Misdemeanor or felony, your freedom, finances, and future are all at stake. A conviction can easily mean a hefty fine and a jail or prison sentence. The most serious cost is the impact on your future opportunities, however. A criminal record can shut the door on many opportunities for employment, loans, and housing.

The criminal justice system isn’t exactly easy to navigate, either. Even if this is your first offense or your charge is minor, you can’t expect the prosecution to go easy on you. In the end, getting your charges dismissed or reduced requires a convincing argument delivered with a strong presentation and backed with solid evidence.

Fight Your Charges

A Northern Virginia criminal defense lawyer from Priale & Racine can provide you with the defense your case needs. We’ve defended people just like you in thousands of different cases. Whether you were charged with a DUI, a violent crime, or something else, we can collect all of the available evidence and develop it into a powerful defense.

We aren’t afraid to go to trial and fight on your behalf. We have an excellent reputation among judges and prosecutors, so when they see us on your case, they’ll know that the defense presented has integrity and take it seriously. Your best interests are our primary concern, and we’ll make certain that your criminal case resolves in the best way possible.

A Fair and Full Settlement for Your Personal Injury

When You’ve Been Injured

An injury caused by someone else’s negligence deserves to be fully compensated. That seems obvious enough, but unfortunately, insurance companies just don’t see it that way. Whatever type of accident you were hurt in, your final settlement amount will most likely come from one of these corporations. And you can bet that the insurer will do everything they can to settle your claim for the least amount possible.

Many injury victims make the mistake of assuming that the insurer in on their side and accept the settlement that is offered, thinking that it will be enough to cover their needs. It doesn’t usually take long for them to discover that the payout was inadequate and that they’ll need to pay out of pocket in order to get the medical care they still need.

In short, the insurance company is going to try to resolve your claim before you can get an attorney on board and find out just how much you’re really owed.

Dealing with Insurance

A Northern Virginia personal injury lawyer from Priale & Racine won’t let this happen to you. We’ll help you perform a full assessment of your claim’s true value. From medical care to lost wages to pain and suffering, all of your financial expenses and non-economic damages will be accounted for—including your future accident-related needs.

What’s more, we’ll also take your demand for compensation directly to the insurance or the at-fault party’s attorney. We know how to build the strongest, most compelling case possible, and this gives us a clear advantage at the negotiating table. In fact, the majority of our personal injury cases settle out of court without trial ever being necessary.

You only have one case. We want to make certain that it goes as smoothly as possible and that you come out with the funds you need to pay for your recovery.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA IMMIGRATION LAWYERS

Moving to a new country can be stressful enough, but US immigration laws don’t make the process any easier. There can be any number of hurdles and challenges along the way—all of which can be smoothed out by working with a Northern Virginia immigration lawyer from Priale & Racine.

We can help you with immigration issues that involve visas, naturalization, employment, defense against deportation, waivers of inadmissibility, and more. It will be our priority to make sure you not only understand what’s ahead, but also that you have all of the information you need to move forward.

Download eBook

United States Immigration Guide by Xavier Racine, ESQ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal Injury

Criminal Defense

Immigration

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim?

Virginia provides injury victims with a two-year statute of limitations in which to file a claim seeking compensation. If you wait to file until after two years have passed, you could lose your right to a financial settlement.

What if I don’t have enough money to pay for a personal injury attorney?

You can still get the legal help you need. Personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that your attorney’s fees come out of the final settlement amount. If you don’t receive a settlement, you don’t pay.

What are non-economic damages in personal injury claims?

While financial damages are obvious, non-economic damages reflect how your injuries have changed your quality of life for the worse. These damages include damage done to your marriage, emotional distress, disfigurement, lost enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

Do I have a case if I was partially at fault for the accident?

Unlike most states, Virginia still observes what’s known as “contributory negligence.” Under this law, if you were at all responsible for causing the accident, you won’t be allowed to file a personal injury claim. This applies even if your own responsibility was minimal.

Will my personal injury case have to go to court?

Not necessarily. Most cases can be settled through negotiations if the at-fault party and their insurance company are willing to cooperate. This usually depends on how strong your case is, as they’ll want to avoid paying court fees in addition to the settlement if a verdict is unlikely to be in their favor.

Can I seek compensation if the government was responsible for my injury?

Yes, although special rules apply to cases against government entities in Virginia. In particular, the amount of time you have to file a claim is much shorter. Claims against towns or cities must be brought within six months, while a claim against the state will need to be filed within one year.

PLED NO CONTEST, CAN I GET THE ARREST RECORD EXPUNGED?

No. While a plea of Nolo Contendere or No Contest is not technically a confession of guilt, it is an expression of willingness to be considered guilty by the judge for purpose of imposition of judgment and sentence. After entering a Nolo Contendere plea, a Judge finds the Defendant guilty. Thus, this plea is not consistent with a claim of innocence that is necessary when petitioning for expungement.

CAN I GET AN OLD MISDEMEANOR RECORD EXPUNGED?

No. Pleading guilty to a criminal charge precludes a claim of innocence later. It doesn’t matter if it was (only) a misdemeanor or a felony or how much time has passed since your conviction. A conviction in Virginia is permanent, unless you obtain an Absolute Pardon from the Governor (which is highly unlikely).

MY CHARGE WAS DISMISSED. CAN I PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT OF THE RECORDS?

Maybe. But a dismissal does not automatically qualify you for expungement of the record. Remember the standard is one of innocence. There are certain charges that are “dismissed” after complying with certain requirements. For example a person charged with Possession of Marijuana (1st offense) can complete a program and at the end of probation, if the defendant has complied with all requirements, the charge is “dismissed.” However, there is usually a stipulation of facts sufficient for a conviction by the Defendant and the judge usually indicates on the summons or warrant a finding of guilt withheld until the end of the program. These “dismissals” are not eligible for expungement.

DOES AN ACQUITTAL MEAN I CAN BE GRANTED AN EXPUNGEMENT?

Yes. If a Petitioner has no prior record and is seeking expungement of a misdemeanor charge, then the applicant shall be entitled to expungement relief unless the Commonwealth Attorney’s office presents good cause at the hearing on a petition to show the court why the remedy should not be granted. Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2 (F).

WHAT DO I NEED TO GET A DISMISSED FELONY EXPUNGED?

The Court will require clear evidence that demonstrates that keeping this charge/arrest on your record “causes or may cause circumstances which constitute manifest injustice.” Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.2 (F). An example of this injustice can include a letter from prospective employer indicating that a clean criminal record is required to be offered employment.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF EXPUNGEMENT OF A CRIMINAL RECORD?

Under Virginia law, a person does not need to disclose in any applications any information about an arrest or criminal charge that has been expunged. Virginia Code Section 19.2-392.4 (A). In other words, if you are asked in any job or school application whether you have ever been arrested or charged with a crime, you can lawfully answer “No.”

IS THERE ANY MINIMUM AMOUNT TO GET THE E-2 VISA?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Bv7euIN6Q

DO I HAVE TO HIRE U.S. EMPLOYEES IN ORDER TO GET THE E-2 VISA?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILMAv0uww3w

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND LIMITATION OF THE E-2 VISA?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVHl7R4FDwo

CAN I STILL APPLY IF BORN IN A NON-E-2 VISA COUNTRY BUT NOW A CITIZEN OF A TREATY COUNTRY?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCTBRdLEiWI

WHAT IS THE EB-2 AND E-2 INVESTOR VISA?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWbXEnw5i0A

If I have an E-2 visa, can I bring my family with me?

Yes, if you have an E-2 visa, you are allowed to bring your spouse with you, as well as any unmarried children who are under the age of twenty-one. They’ll be allowed to stay in the United States with you as long as your E-2 visa remains valid.

WHY CHOOSE PRIALE & RACINE?

Decades of Experience

Our firm has handled thousands of cases and treated every single one as if it’s our own. Priale & Racine will provide you with experienced representation and practical legal know-how.

Exemplary Reputation

Not only is our firm highly regarded by judges, prosecutors, and other criminal defense attorneys, but we’ve also been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.

Personal Attention

We want you to be as comfortable with the legal process as possible. You’ll have the personal cell phone numbers of the firm’s partners, so whenever you need answers or counsel, we’ll be there.

Results-Driven

We aren’t satisfied with just winning a settlement or getting a lenient judgment. We won’t be happy until you get the best outcome possible for your unique situation. We get results and take pride in that fact.

Solid Integrity

Because our firm is well-respected, insurers, judges, and prosecutors take our arguments seriously. Our integrity also means that you’ll know that the counsel we give you is honest, accurate, and to the point.

Out-of-the-Box Thinking

We know the value of adapting to conditions. Whatever the circumstances you find yourself in, you can count on our firm to determine the best solution—no matter how unorthodox it might seem.